What I love most about Philadelphia is all the different places you can visit within walking distance, and they are all so completely different from each other. Whether is be Center City, Washington Square West, Old City, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, South Philly, or West Philly, you can be sure to quickly get to know a particular stamp that defines each that makes it special. Here I am out and about in the cool and hip Northern Liberties. It’s so quiet and quaint here on the weekends. Always a good restaurant to eat at, a cool bar at the corner, and a fashionable person walking down the street. This up and coming part of the city is one of my favorite places. When it comes to Philly overall, I really have come to love the diverse set of textures and colors I see just walking down the block. Old school red brick brownstones, rusty metal chain link fences, and beaten up graffiti filled walls like this are a feast for the eyes. Philly is a place that never looks boring. That is always something to count on.

Sometimes I feel like I am too busy with my life here in Philly to really stop and miss California. But really, deep down inside, I know that I really do miss this place all the way on the other side of the country. It’s where I was born. It’s where I was raised. It will always be dear to my heart. I miss it so much that I already have my plane ticket booked for December. I’m going home for a week to spend time with my family and friends during Christmas. I am too excited for words! I haven’t been in California since the beginning of May. It’s about time I look forward to endless miles of highways, outdoor shopping centers, bike rides on the boardwalk, summer in December weather, and those jaw droppingly stunning sunsets. Even if it’s just for a little while. California’s slow pace and the peaceful parts of my sleepy suburban town in the valley is going to be a nice little break from my hectic life here on the east coast. See you soon Cali. It’s been too long.

This past weekend was kind of amazing. I got to catch up with my favorite people in Philly, helped my friend shop for picture frames at a random flea market, found out that the most rocking Philly cheesesteak sandwich is at the IKEA food court, did some shopping in the city (including finding the most awesome cargo jacket at Target of all places), watched Dumb and Dumber and got officially hooked on The Walking Dead. I’m all revved up for this work week leading up to another weekend full of Halloween celebrations, including my friend Kim’s birthday shindig (it looks like some fashion bloggers are going to be in town). And Natalie is coming down to celebrate, as well! I still need to come up with costumes, go pumpkin and apple picking, and all that good old fall festivity fluff. I love anything cheesy. You know me.

I’ve worn these red pants so many times before, but I haven’t yet shown them on the blog. They are prone to stopping traffic, but that’s why I like them. Legs was my nickname in junior high school. I was the tallest girl on dance team. And I could definitely kick the highest. Hey, if you got flaunt it.